Seed firming assembly for agricultural seeders and mounting system therefor

Abstract

A seed firming assembly is mounted to a planter by a bracket attached to a seed tube guard between a pair of opener disks. The bracket has first and second sides that define a cavity therebetween for receiving a seed tube. A first mounting structure in front of the cavity secures the bracket to the seed tube guard. A second mounting structure behind the cavity attaches a seed firmer to the bracket with a pivot connection that allows rotation of the seed firmer relative to the bracket about a generally horizontal transverse axis. A stopper bushing limits an extent of forward pivoting of the seed firmer relative to the bracket, and an adjustable tensioner mechanism limits an extent of rearward pivoting. The seed firmer has an upper portion comprising a leaf spring, and a lower portion comprising a material that has a higher abrasion resistance than the upper portion.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority of Applicant's pending U.S. Patent Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 131,019 filed on Mar. 10, 2015. The entire content of this prior application is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to agricultural seeders that produce open furrows in the soil into which seeds are placed, and more particularly, to an improved sliding seed firmer and method of attaching and operating such firmer for use with seeders in securing seed-to-soil contact.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Agricultural planting methods continue to evolve in response to widespread adoption of “no-till” or “reduced-till” crop production techniques with greatly reduced dependence on tillage of the soil, and in which the next crop's seeds are often placed directly into the previous crop's stubble or crop residues. No-till or reduced-till seeding differs gr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to provide a seed firming assembly for an agricultural planter that has improved operating characteristics, a long wear life, a durable and convenient mounting system, and is inexpensive and efficient to manufacture. The assembly includes a bracket, a seed firmer, and a second mounting structure for attaching the seed firmer to the bracket. The second mounting structure allows rotation of the seed firmer relative to the bracket. This design provides secure attachment to the planter, ease of use, durability, and flexibility in planting depth and spacing.

Problems solved by technology

The different methods and actions of such seed-firming devices on freshly formed furrows and planted seeds becomes still more important in no-till conditions due to the greater structure or resilience of no-till soils as compared to tilled soils, which renders pressing from the soil surface ineffective and damaging to the seed environment.

Soils which are eroded or which have otherwise suffered degradation from tillage, as well as soils that naturally have high clay content and / or low organic matter content, will be more susceptible to damage from excessive pressing above the seed, especially when those soils are damp.

This typically results in poor seedling emergence because the soil in the furrow is more compressed at the surface compared to soil near the seed, sometimes to the extent of having a void immediately above the seed but with extremely compressed soil at the surface.

In this instance, seed germination may fail due to the drying of air in the void, or the seedling may leaf underground in the void, or the seedling will encounter great difficulty pushing itself through the dense layer of soil, which will slow and weaken the seedling or even kill it.

Many of these sliding firming devices are hindered in their performance by mud or damp soil accumulation on the lower edges, especially if some soil disturbance occurs ahead of the firming device so that it no longer is operating in a ‘clean’ cut, or if insufficient pressure is applied to the sliding firming device.

Soil accumulation on the underside of the firming device can result in dragging of seeds, and in a poor firming action.

Sliding firming devices may also exhibit rapid wear in many soil conditions, unless made from exotic materials.

Much of the problem derives from the compromise in making the entire sliding firmer out of a single material, such that it must be spring-like properties in its upper portion to create the pressure on the lower end that contacts the seed and soil, yet this lower end must be abrasion resistant for long wear life, and must be slick thereby resisting mud accumulation.

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